Edwards advances the idea that in every snapshot of human life, we make decisions in accordance with our nature and disposition. Free will is compatabilist in that we have no autonomy other than to follow our greatest desire in any given instance. Not only does this exposition rule out the chance for true virtue--some good thing we do which we might not have done--but Edwards also has a hard time explaining how God is not the author if evil, given that human decisions are consistently determined according to a divine decree.

This is truly one of the greatest works written. Daniel Webster wrote: "The Freedom of the Will" by Mr. Edwards is the greatest achievement of the human intellect." The London Quarterly Review wrote about this work: "His gigantic specimen of theological argument is as near to perfection as we may expect any human composition to approach. He unites the sharpness of the scimetar [sic] and the strength of the battle-axe." A former President of Princeton said that Edwards was "The greatest thinker that America has produced."

This wonderful work is a good tool in learning of the greatness of Christ's grace, in overcoming our minds and hearts, and loving us to the uttermost. This should be in the library of every Christian family.

Historian after historian continue to baffle me. These Phd's seem to base their historical assumptions upon a country that did not exist in the 19th century: America [Read: Alexis De Tocqueville 'Deomcracy in America."] The young republic had not yet, prior to the War Between the States (Civil War) forge an identity for itself. Noll fails to grasp the widening gulf that seperated North and South theologically and political (The Hamiltonian view of the Constitution which favored government banking, involvement in infrastructure and Jeffersonian states rights agrarian tradition.] Southern theologian James Henry Thornwell [Whom Cornelius Van Til said was the greatest American thinker ever produced on this continent besides Jonathan Edwards] got it right: the War Between the States was a theological war in many ways. Noll, who believes an "America" existed prior to the War Between the States fails to grasp that puritans in the North long ago abandoned anything good about their religion, except the need to control the rest of the country politically. Noll, however, gets Lincoln right in so far as declaring him a rather "odd Christian." This probably explains Lincoln's uncharitable attitude at invading fellow states who exercised the right of secession [sorry, I do believe in this doctrine: our founders did!.] Noll is right, evangelicals have no hero in Lincoln. I've always been perplexed as why many evangelicals hold him in high esteem? But, Noll, like any other Northern historian, fails to analyze the Southern intellectuals of the 19th century and completely glosses over President Jefferson Davis' Christian commitment as an Evangelical Episcopalian. "It is true that we are completely under the saddle of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and that they ride us very hard, cruelly insulting our feelings, as well as exhausting our strength and substance." Thomas Jefferson- a Virginian first. (May I suggest Anne Norton "Alternative Americas: A Reading of Antebellum Political Culture" University of Chicago Press, 1986.

What we have here is a remarkably comprehensive examination of the role formal religion played in the United States from the Colonial period through the Civil War. For various reasons, those who formulated the Constitution insisted on a separation of church and state as well as certain checks and balances within the federal government. What I found most interesting in Noll's book is his analysis of the transition from European Puritanism (after almost 200 years) to what could be called American Evangelism (emerging in the late-1790s) which not only allowed but indeed celebrated freedom of religion. Noll's primary subject is the evolution of American theology. He necessarily examines the historical context within which that process occurred. My only quarrel with him, probably more an honest difference of opinion than a complaint, is that he suggests -- or at least assumes -- a homogeneity in America's religious life which seems to be contradicted by what the separation of church and state made possible: religious heterogeneity protected by the Constitution and sustained by the checks and balances. Nonetheless, Noll succeeds brilliantly in explaining how and why religion was central to early-American history.

Set in an periord when England was master of the world politic, the upperclass entertained themselves and their families with elaborate weekend shooting parties for driven game on their country estates. These remarkable individuals and their peculiarities, fancies, and foibles are described in an engaging English writing style. A great read for hunters and historians.

Through a series of Essays, the thoughts of Jonathan Edwards on a number of topics, from nature to revival are analysed and expounded.

I don't have a deep philosophical background, but found reading it and learning the unfamilier terms to be rewarding. Edwards was truly a marvelous thinker, and wether you agree or disagree, his thoughts will make you stretch your own. For the most part, the authors are true to Edwards sound Christian Theology, showing just how far ahead in his thinking he was from most contemporary christian authors.

Most of the essyas are top notch, and focus on Edwards, but there are two or three that are self serving and Edwards is used to advance the authors pet cause or philosophy- in an otherwise excellent volume these were quite out of place.

Recommend to anyone who wants to get beyond the "brain candy" you will find in your average Christian Bookstore.

Stephen R. Holmes demonstrates a comprehensive and competent knowledge of Jonathan Edwards' theology. Holmes examines the influence of the Enlightenment and men such as Locke and Newton as well as giving attention to Edwards' firm place in the Purtian and Reformed traditions of the church. He also demonstrates a thorough knowledge of everything Edwards penned; from the musings in Edwards' miscellanies to his published arguments in the Freedom of the Will,Original Sin and others. For Holmes, the center of Edwards' thought is on God's glory and how everything in Trinitarian relations and creation serves it.
Edwards seeks to describe everthing in a way that gives glory to God. Holmes finds many of Edwards' arguments compelling but believes Edwards' understanding of election, hell and punishment do not contribute to the overall scheme of God's glory.

Some of the most intriguing and fascinating stories come from the lives of missionaries. The lives of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards' are no exception. Considered one of the greatest theologians of our day, Jonathan Edwards was involved in the religious revival that swept our nation called the "Great Awakening", which occurred during the mid 1700's of our country. In Edna Gerstner's book, Jonathan and Sarah: An Uncommon Union, she encapsulates the life of Jonathan Edwards as a child with parents who were missionaries to the Native Americans. Taken from many excerpts of the diaries of Jonathan Edwards and different members of his family, this biography trails through his young life and education, where he eventually meets a teenage girl by the name of Sarah Pierrepont with whom he falls in love. Throughout this book you will see glimpses of Jonathan and Sarah's everyday life from the joys and trials of missionary work, to intimate glimpses in their home life with their children and the witty, headstrong maid. The tale continues on through the marriages and engagements of some of the children, to the time that Mr. Edwards is made President of Princeton University. Unfortunately this story does have a tragic end. Not only because of the sickness and death that was common during those times, but because of what ultimately happens to the Edwards' family. This book was truly delightful and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys biographies or who is interested in the history of our nation.

This book contains excellent choices from the writings of Jonathan Edwards, the first great philosopher in the American colonies, including some of his earliest writings, mostly just philosophical or biological musings. It reflects some interesting developments in the maturation of his thinking. It also has letters to friends, colleagues, and family members. Some of his most well-known sermons are alongside some representative samples of his sermons. Unfortunately, there is room for only excerpts from his longer works, such as The Religious Affections, but that can't be helped in an affordable popular anthology. If you want all of his works, but the complete works from the same publisher. If you just want a representative sample of some of the best works of this great theologian and philosopher, get this.

Gerstner's introduction to the theology of Jonathan Edwards will prove very helpful to those wanting to map their way through the lofty heights of Edwards' own writings. With quotations from sermons and books, Gerstner summarizes into bite-size portions Edwards' thought on eleven important theological subjects: 1. Reason and Revelation; 2. The Trinity; 3. Man and His Fall; 4. Sin; 5. Atonement; 6. Regeneration; 7. Justification; 8. Sanctification; 9. The Latter-day Glory and Eschatology; 10. Hell; and 11. Heaven. For those who have bought into the literature book caricature of Edwards as a "hell-fire and brimstone" evangelist, this will be an eye-opener. One discovers, instead, that the man behind "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was a warm-hearted, sharp-minded, philosophically-inclined GENIUS! No student of theology should be without this helpful book.

Wordly saints? Puritan behavior not so restricted. They were flowery dressers and loved to have parties. Sarah Edwards very interesting woman. We need sermonists like him today.

There are only a handful of Symbian books available yet, and this one is the best of them. It is not a tutorial but a fairly good reference. It does a good job of explaining concepts as well, for instance I really like the discussion of descriptors in chapter 5.

Those who have no Symbian background will find this book difficult (not because the book is badly written, but because Symbian is a very different platform). I recommend that beginners read documentation and whitepapers available at Symbian's website, take an introductory class and then buy this book for reference. Dont try to learn Symbian programming from this book. You'll be disappointed.

I also think that the authors should revisit and work on a new edition of this useful book. There has been an addition of many new topics since R5, that require good reference material - authors could do the Symbian community a favor by providing that much needed reference material.

This book deserves 3.5 stars now - and if the authors release a new edition, it will get 5 stars from me.

First, I should state that I know the author. I better say that in case anyone believes my guilty of bias. However, it must be realised that this book is an official Symbian publication, and as such is the definitive reference book on programming for EPOC devices. Personally I think Martin has done a remarkable job putting all this together. As an ex-Symbian employee I have not done any coding since the early development days of the Psion Series 5.

Recently I have needed to get up to date and get coding again. On a brand new PC, with no EPOC utilities on it, with the help of this book and its accompanying CD (which contains ALL of the official Symbian Software Development Kits), I had genuine freshly-compiled programs running on my Psion Series 5mx PDA within MINUTES. Martins writing style is very accessible, and explains the advanced concepts behind EPOC in a manner in which anyone can quickly understand them.

As an aside, the book is deliberately written so that it does NOT have to be read sitting in front of a computer. As a result, this book makes a fantastic tutorial, as it can be read on the train, in the bath, anywhere when you might have a few minutes spare.

A "must buy" for any individual or company considering programming in C++ any EPOC devices (which will in the near future include both PDA's and mobile phones). Well done Martin!

As an introduction to programming on the Symbian platform this book is excellent. If you require detailed information on C++ EPOC programming then it may appear a bit sparse. You can get the required information from Symbian/Psion directly. If you wish to start programming on this platform then this is a great introduction. After reading it you will be able to make the most of the detailed information from Symbian themselves.